Archive By Section - Business

The Georgia Department of Labor reported Thursday the state's unemployment rate rose to 5.2 percent in January, up 0.6 percent from 4.6 percent in December. The January increase brings the rise over the past two months to a full percentage point.

In the 1950s and 1960s, one of the more successful television programs was "Dragnet." Even today, television stations that feature yesteryear reruns often show this police drama of Sgt. Joe Friday and Officer Bill Gannon solving crimes.

The following are among the food service establishments inspected from Jan. 29- Feb. 7 by the Hall County Environmental Health Department. New rules and regulations for food service began on Dec. 1, 2007. Food service establishments will now be given a letter grade that coincides with a percentile: "A" (90-100), "B" (80-89), "C" (70-79), "U" 69 and below. Inspections (frequency of) a food service establishment will be conducted based on risk categorization. The risk type shall be determined by the menu items served, the food preparation processed performed, and the previous food safety history in the food service establishment.

Late winter is the time to prune many woody landscape plants. Pruning during the dormant season allows you to better see branch structure and encourages a flush of vigorous new growth in spring. By waiting until the coldest winter weather has passed, you minimize damage to tissue around pruning cuts.

The Times wants to know about promotions, new management hires and other personnel news in your business. We'll publish the information each Sunday on the Business page. Send information, including a photograph and contact information, to Harris Blackwood at hblackwood@gainesvilletimes.com. You also may use regular mail at Newsmakers, The Times, P.O. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503.

A private child care center in Gainesville has become one of the first in Northeast Georgia to be named a Center of Distinction by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning's "Bright from the Start" program.

The Gainesville Theatre Alliance has joined with the Gainesville-Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau to create a special overnight package for performances of "A Flea in Her Ear," which runs through tonight.

If you spend any time driving across Northeast Georgia, you will notice how the 'landscape' has changed. What was once primarily farm land has changed to primarily neighborhoods and homes on small acreages.

Economic development leaders in Northeast Georgia say Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and, particularly, Delta Air lines, is a major factor in a company's decision to locate in the area.

Kit Dunlap, president of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, said that domestic businesses like the ease of one-stop service to numerous destinations in the U.S., while international companies appreciate the ability to fly directly from Atlanta to many of the world's capitals.

A massive development in Forsyth County that could include 1.4 million square feet of retail space, generate $12 million in annual sales tax revenue and create 7,900 jobs cleared one hurdle this week.

The five-member Forsyth County planning board agreed 3-1 Tuesday night to recommend approval to the commission of an overlay district for the 164-acre site along Ga. 400 between Union Hill and McFarland roads.

A story was once told about a pharaoh who wished to build a temple for himself. As the slaves were milling around waiting to begin construction, one said to another, "Do we have any blueprints for this project? Or are we supposed to just fly by the seat of our chariot?"